How are Managed Offices aligning with Corporate Sustainability Goals?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The rise of sustainable workspaces
• Energy efficiency and green building practices
• Waste reduction and recycling programs
• Sustainable transportable options
• Biophilic designs and indoor air quality
• Flexible work arrangements and space optimization
• Sustainable procurement and supply chain management
• Education and community management
• Conclusion

Corporate sustainability has picked up huge momentum recently as businesses realize the need to strike a balance between the quest for economic growth vis-à-vis environmental and social responsibility. With rising consciousness to curtail the carbon footprint and work on sustainable practices, managed offices have arisen at the heart of coupling workspace solutions with corporate sustainability goals. This article examines how managed office operators change their operations and services to help companies achieve a more sustainable future.

The Rise of Sustainable Workspaces

The last two decades were times of fast growth for managed offices, called serviced or flexible workspaces. Turner-key office solutions allow businesses to scale accordingly in their needs for workspace without long-term commitments involved in classical leases. It is not a shock that growing demand brings growing pressure on sustainability performance in managed offices. Property managers and workspace providers recognize the practical need to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their offerings to meet the needs of businesses concerned about the environment.

Energy Efficiency and Green Building Practices

The first area in which managed offices can support corporate sustainability goals is adopting energy-efficient systems and green building practices. Many providers retrofit existing buildings or construct new facilities with sustainability in view. Such DUCT comprises a change of lighting systems to energy-efficient devices, for example, LED bulbs, and utilization of motion sensors that will turn off all the unnecessary lights, thus reducing the power intake. In addition, smart building management systems allow these heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to be regulated for optimal usage without wasting energy in empty premises.

Managed office providers also target improved energy performance for their buildings. This can range from improved insulation to fit double-glazed windows to installing renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, at individual buildings or wind turbines. For an even stronger commitment to green building and operational best practices, the providers will pursue green building certifications for buildings, such as LEED, BREEAM, etc.

Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs

Another significant area of congruence with the corporate sustainability objectives revolves around zero waste and recycling initiatives. Serviced offices are increasingly making efforts that align with reducing waste production and proper disposal procedures. This involves positioning distinctively labeled recycling containers in each work area, utilizing reusable vessels and cutlery in the common kitchen areas, and close working relations with local recycling facilities.

Some managed office providers even go beyond this by implementing composting programs, organic waste streams, and e-waste recycling services for electronic equipment and devices. The managed offices allow clients to minimize their ecological footprint toward their respective sustainability goals by providing means for reasonable disposal of items.

Sustainable Transportation Options

This entails, for example, the application of sustainability in transport choices: managed office providers are becoming keenly aware that commuting represents a large black mark on an office’s carbon footprint. This might involve providing secure bike storage facilities, showers, and changing rooms to encourage biking to work. Some partner with local public transportation authorities to offer discounted transit passes or shuttle services to nearby transportation hubs.

Apart from providing alternative modes of movement, managed office spaces are increasingly incorporating electric vehicle charging stations within their parking amenities. This helps to support socially responsible companies seeking to cut down on their carbon footprint but also appeals to the increasing pool of employees who choose hybrid or electric vehicles.

Biophilic Design and Indoor Air Quality

Managed offices increasingly embrace biophilic design as a connection to building occupants, consequently improving employee sustainability and well-being. It involves incorporating natural elements into design spaces, with green living walls, flora, and natural light to enhance the outlook of workspaces. That way, they have a more appealing environment with better indoor air quality and use less energy through artificial light.

Last but not least, the IAQ is safeguarded by managed office providers through low-emission materials, periodic maintenance of filtration systems, and strict cleaning procedures with environmentally friendly cleaning products installed. This helps in enhancing sustainability while still allowing for a healthy working environment.

Flexible Work Arrangements and Space Optimization

This is already one of the inherent advantages managed offices have over others regarding sustainability. An office with hot-desking possibilities, shared meeting rooms, and adaptable common areas can accommodate more workers within a mini footprint than allocated by traditional and big office contexts. It reduces energy and resource consumption per employee and contributes to the trend of remote and hybrid work models most companies are rapidly adopting as a component of their roadmaps to sustainability.

This adaptability of managed offices means that any firm can easily upsize rapidly or downsize according to space needs and hence can avoid the wastage involved in the over-leasing of offices due to long-term leases. This flexibility underpins corporate sustainability by ensuring that resources are used appropriately and that companies use only the required space.

Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain Management

More and more managed office providers are realizing the role sustainable procurement practices play in accommodating their clients’ sustainability aims. These are scrutinized by partners and suppliers, reflecting being environmentally responsible and business ethics considerations. Managed offices ensure that their choices—from office furniture and equipment to cleaning supplies and catering services—are as eco-friendly and socially responsible as possible.

Some providers are embedding circular economy principles into procurement one step further. This can be in the form of procuring refurbished or up-cycled furniture, biodegradable or compostable disposable items, collaboration with local suppliers to reduce associated emissions from transportation etc. By being thoughtful about sustainability within their supply chain, managed offices can help clients reduce their indirect environmental impact and assist in achieving other related sustainability goals.

Education and Community Engagement

Managed offices are also on the frontline in providing their employees with a sense of community alongside sustainability awareness. Providers have been proactive in organizing workshops, educational seminars, and lots of networking opportunities aimed at sustainability in business and like-minded groups for business and other people concerned about the environment and social issues.

These activities raise awareness of sustainability matters and make the companies occupying the managed office space work together and share knowledge. In short, managed offices have made it possible for companies working from there, regarding sustainability, to bring greater impact by bringing a wider culture of corporate responsibility.

Conclusion

With corporate sustainability taking center stage in the business world today, managed offices have to adapt to meet the changing needs of their clientele. Such workspace providers get closer to the sustainability goals of their clients through energy-efficient building practices, reduction of wastes, sustainable transport systems, biophilic design, flexible work arrangements, responsible procurement, and community commitments.

This symbiotic and interdependent relationship between the managed office and the corporate goals in sustainability will continue to balloon as real estate businesses discover the benefits of a flexible, green workspace. Managed office providers will continue to adapt and innovate services in line with new demands. In so doing, these providers would not only satisfy their clients’ sustainability agenda but also answer society’s call for an ecological and social business arena. If you want to align your workspace with your company’s sustainability goals, BHIVE Workspace offers cutting-edge managed office solutions that prioritize environmental responsibility and employee well-being. 

References

https://liquidspace.com/customer-stories/fortune-500

https://www.workdesign.com/2021/11/companies-are-moving-to-offices-that-align-with-their-esg-goals/

https://deloitte.wsj.com/sustainable-business/how-to-integrate-sustainability-into-business-strategy-5-key-steps-3a843590